It is right and proper to take the side of Anwar Ibrahim, former Malaysian deputy prime minister, in his (so far) unequal struggle with his former mentor, prime minister Mahathir bin Mohamad. As Mahathir prepares to strengthen his grip on power through an election likely to be held in August, Anwar is facing another set of politically motivated criminal accusations-this time, for sodomy.
The ruling coalition headed by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) is certain to remain in power. A poor result for UMNO would undermine Mahathir’s position, but is unlikely to topple the man who has moulded Malaysia’s race-based democracy into a unique blend of populist authoritarianism.
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